Trolley-wheel carrier



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Patented Mar. 13, 1928.

UNITED STATES CLARENCE W. BROWN, FLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

TROLLEY-WHEEL CARRIER.

Application filed December 15, 1924. Serial No. 755,072.

1. My invention relates to improvements in mechanisms for holding trolley wheels in proper place, up against `trolley wires, in connection with operation of electric trolley cars, in which .invention reciprocating air valves `and a coil springoperate with other mechanism to keep the trolley wheel in place against trolley wire. n

2. The objects of my invention are:

(a) To prevent trolley wheel from leaving trolley wire.

(b) To prevent trolley pole trom continually striking cross wires which support trolley wire.

(o) To replace, automatically, trolley Wheel in normal position against trolley Wire. i 'u (d) To enable electric trolley cars to be backed, without necessity oi changing position of trolley pole. y

3. I attain these objects by thel mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which y Figure 1 is a vertical cross section of the entire apparatus, with the trolley wheel pressing upward against trolley wire; Fig. 2 is a front view of the body, wings, and cross section of housing and other lower parts oi the apparatus, wheel being held down below the rollers7 instead of above the rollers as in F ig. 1; and showing trolley wire resting on a roller, instead of on the trolleyl wheel as in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a cross section of top of that part of the apparatus nearest top of coil spring,y showing housing7 spring piston rod,4 and sleeve; Fig. 4 is a cross section ot the middle part ot the body below the coil spring and across the principal air chamber. Fig. 5 is a front view of the upper part of the apparatus illustrating how the upper points of the wings may be curved inward more than is illust-rated in F ig's. 1 and 2. Fig. G is Ytrent view of a roller shaped something like a rolling pin and of roller shown in Figs. 1 and 2; Fig. 7 is a roller shaped like a roller bearing, minus the hole for shaft illustrated in Fig. 1. This Fig. 7 can be made to rotate in a groove as hereinafter explained. Fig. 8 is a side view of the entire apparatus fixed in normal position to top of trolley pole and pressing upward against trolley wire.

4. Similar numerals refer to similar parts thruout the several views.

5. Figure 1: Under normal conditions,

compressed air,` from the air compressor of the car, passes thru flexible air tube 25, into rotates against trolley wire 2. This position and contact between trolley wheel 1 and trolley wire 2 are kaided by expansion ot' coil spring 21 upward against circular outer edge projection 37 of the middle section or neck of the body 81. in this position (Fig.y

1) trolley wheel 1 properly engages with trolley wire 2. lVhen trolley wire 2 leaves trolley wheel r1, the `spring located on top of the car and at the base of trolley pole 89 n (Fig. 5), forces this trolley` pole and Figure 1 upward so that trolley wire is brought into Contact with the ent-ire apparatus; then usually the Wire 2 strikes against the innerside of protectors 8, and kslides downward toward the middle, along roller 5, and `finally rests inthe groove `of trolley wheel 1, as illustrated' in Fig. Rollers 54 are shaped like roller bearings, and can be made to rotate around axles 7, as in Fig. 1; or can be made as in Fig. 7, without axles and so asV to revolvein grooves sunk in the position illustrated, in the top of the body 11; or the roller may be shaped like a-rolling pin Fig. @rotating around, and supported by,` solid cylindrical vprojections extending outward from the ends of the roller, and resting in grooves cut for thatpurpose in the adjacent parts of the body ll. I prefer to use rollers 5 made to operate in such grooves and without axles as in Fig. l and without end projections, as in Fig. 6, because the axle type and the rolling pin type require ythe leaving of so much of the body 18 between the roller 5 and the arms 18, to provide for the end ot the aXle, or for the end of the rolling-pin f type (Fig. 6), that there would be probabilityk ot the trolley 2 resting or dragging on the space 18 and 38 instead of the wires passing from the roller 5 directly into the groove of the wheel. 10 arev two bolts for fastening protectors 8, when these protectors are made movable.

6. Fig. 2; InFig. 2,trolley Wheel 1 is shown below, instead ot above, roller 5; for when the trolley wire S2, after `jumping trol ley wheel l, was caught by the inside of protector S, and pressed downward upon roller 5, the entire body ll and the sleeve :20, were, by the downward pressure ol trolley wire 2, l'orced downward, compressing spring 21, so that valve 3() opened directly into valve l) in Isleeve and valve Ill in the housing 2, thereby discharging from air chamber 2G, compressed air which had previously held piston 2l; up to top ol' air chamber 2U as shown in Fig. l. This downward movement ol piston 2l is aided also by passage of compressed air from air chamber 252, thru sleeve valve into the air space which opens into the top ot air chamber it).

T. Fig. Ll shows trolley wheel down. )rs soon as trolley wire slides down and presses against trolley wheel l, all pressure being then removed l'roni roller 5 and body l1, spring 2i forces body ll, valve lf2., and sleeve .ltl, upward, thereby closing valve llt), and opening sleeve valve 2'2 into valve Q3 as in Fig. l. 'lhis causes air, which comes from reservoir 32 thru valve il() into cylinder 2G, to become compressed under piston 2l, forcing piston 2l upward, and releasing air from above piston thru open valves and Il, as in ltig. l.

8. In Fig. the projections 35S shown near top olf trolley wheel, are the braces used to prevent the two arms 13 from yielding backward or forward while these arms 13 and piston rod t' endure the strain resulting [from backward, downward, gravity pressure ol trolley wire Q, and upward spring pressure o'l trolley pole. -lVhen these arms lil and the trolley wheel l, are up as in Fig. l, two ot these projections` 3S are in lront, ol and two behind, the arms t3.

9. These operations of the air valves and these niovements ot' the entire nieehanism, are instantanetais, lor a very strong air pressure is always ready, and at hand, in the large air reservoir which surrounds the inner parts ol the lower part ot' the mechanism, the reservoir being marked 32, in Figs. l, 2. and l.

lt). 11i, While trolley wheel l is up as in Fig. l, trolley wire il jumps from trolley wheel l, and tails to be caught; between protectors` 8, then trolley pole t), on straightem ing upward, as the car moves, will cause the upper part o'lf the apparatus to strike cross wire, when the entire apparatus will he forced back down below trolley wire, which, as in lig. 2, will pass upward along the convex outside of the body ll, and over protecttu' 8, aa illustrated by unshadtal outlilies ol trolley wire :l shown in Fig. 2. This almost certain to occur, l'or the trolley wire Q, is directly above the middle ol the car, and the trolley pole tends to straighten itself upward and against the wire. Ytlhen the apparatus strikes a cross wire, the entire apparatus yields backwards, under the inlluence of spring lO (Fig. Si).

ll. The body lll, being circular at its neck 323, can rotate, with piston rod 1T as aros; but to prevent too much rotation.` two llat springs lfl are fastened into a side oll piston rod 'li'. and lit into cornersof the chamber 3U, so that. as shown in Fig. 3, piston rod ll, can rotate only a limited distance l'rom side to side in the opening or chamber El() in which these springs operate. '.l'his` chambc:l extends upward and downward so that the piston rod li' can move upward and down ward as itsl becomes necessary l'or trolley wheel l to move upward and downward.

lil. Allowing the body ll, with the trolley wheel l, to rotate with piston rod t7 as axis. allows the trolley wheel il, to follow, in a straight line, the direction o the trolley wire, while the car rocks l'rom side to sidc. twirsts its lorward and rear ends from side to side, and makes various other unusual movements caused by imperfectionsY in the road bed.

l-l. The body ll and its neck lli'l may hc built solid or hollow; and the housing JT may be screwed into the base l1, which ia supported by a double hinge Al2 and coil snfing lt), as shown in Fig. t5 with flexible air tube extending from the air compressor line of the car, upward along trolley pole 39, and entering the housing aa shown in Figs. l, 2, and 8.

ld. In this Fig. 2 and Fig. 5, as well as in liig. l, the protectors t are just high enough to miss striking cross wires, when the trolley wire is down in the groove ol trolley wheel l, as shown in Fig. 2.

l5. To secure the collar or circular plaie, d3, the bolts -lfl may be counter sunk and soldered, or this collar lil can be made with smaller diameter, its circumference threaded and this collar then screwed down insidtl of housing 52T, on threads made inside ol the top ot the housing, 27.

1G. Figure 3 shows. a cross section of that part of the top ol the apparatus near thc top of the coil spring, at the point` marked tl, on Fig. l. 2T is the housing, -lT is .space where coil spring 2l operates, 2l is coil spring; 2t) is sleeve; Ll5 is solid part olA metal surroiunling piston rod li; ill arttwo llat springs l'astened into side of piston rod lT and operating to prevent piston rod l? from rotating too much in space llt).

17. Figure #l shows cross section at the place marked l, on Fig. l. 15T is outer hon.sv ing, which, at this point, extends across the main air reservoir in a manner similar to the inside projection at 1S in AFig. 1. ltig. l, the openings lo allow air to pass thru this cross section upward and downward into and out ol the main parts olf the reservoir 212. 'lla-st openings -ltl could justas well be eliminated,

titi

lon

llt',

lll?

but I use them so as to allow more space for storing compressed air. This projection of the housing across the apparatus, as shown vin this Fig. 4, could be eliminated, also, but I use this cross projection to keep the sleeve 2()` and the lower walls 45 of the cylinder 26, in proper place and position. 3l

is the opening in the housing thru which is exhausted, air from under piston 24 by way of valve 30. 26 is cylinder. f l

18. Figure 5 shows cross section of upper partoiI body, showing how protectors 8 may line hooked, instead of beingknobbed as in 1g9. Figure shows roller shaped like a rollin-g pin` instead of the shape of roller 5 indicated in Fig. l. Y Y

20. Figure V Shows roller 5 made solid like a roller bearing instead of being shaped as roller 5 inFig. l.

`21. Figure 8 'show a side View of the completed apparatus, l being trolley wheel press-y ing upward against trolley wire 2. 19 is convex side of upper part of thev body, S3 being circular neck, 43 being collar or plate which holds down sleeves 2() and coil spring 2l. 27y is the outer housing. 25 is flexible air tube extending along trolley pole 39, 4l is solid base. 42 is a double hinge which holds the apparatus upright. Coil spring 40 allows the apparatus to yield forward or backward when necessary. 49 is a rod extending fromdouble hinge 42 through coil spring 4() and brackets 50, to lock nut 5l.

22. Forlubrication oil cups or grease cups can be fitted thruout the apparatus at all wearing surfaces and space where coil spring 21 operates can be filled with oil or grease whichwould lubricate coil spring 2l indefinitely and sleeve 20 indefinitely.

l. In a device of the character described, the combination, with a trolley wheel, for cooperation with a trolley wire of a piston, connection between the piston and wheel for supporting the latter from the piston, a cylinder within which the piston operates, a source of fluid under pressure, a valve controlling the supply ofpressure Aliuid to the cylinder, and means operated by the trolley wire when it leaves the wheel for'shifting the said valve to cause the wheelfto be moved into position `for again receiving the trolley Wire.

2. In a device of the character described, the combination, with a trolley wheel for cooperating with a trolley wire, of a piston,

connections between pistonand wheel for supporting the latter from the piston, a cylinder within which the piston operates, a source of fluid under pressure, a valve for controlling the supply of fluid to said cylinder, movable means cooperating with the wheel and trolley wire, for guiding the wheel and wire toward each other, and connections between movable means and valve for:y shifting .the

3. In a Vdevice of `the character described,

the combination with a trolley pole, of' a housing carried by'said pole, a cylinder and piston within said housing, a trolley wheel supported by said piston to contact with` a trolley wire, guiding means Von opposite sides ofthe wheel and movable with respect thereto, a spring/for normallyholding the guiding means in elevated position, a source of fluid under pressure, and al valve connected with the guiding means and movable therewith, the structure being suoli that when the wheel 'leaves the `trolley-wire,'the latter depresses the guiding means to admit compressed fiuid into the cylinder for moving the trolley wheel into position for again receiving `the wirefrom the guiding means.

4. In a device for automatically replacing a trolley wheel on a trolley wire, a trolley' wheel, supporting means whereby the -wheel is normally retained imposition vfor engagen ment with the wire, guiding means cooperating with the wheel and wire, saidk guiding means being engageable with,and movable by, the wire when the wheel leaves thev latter, and mechanism associatedv withl the supporting means and guiding means and adapted to be yoperated by the latter when the wheel leaves the trolley wire for causing the wheel to be shifted to again receive the wire lrom the guiding means; y f

5. In a device of the character described, the combination. with a trolley wlieelfor cooperation with a trolley wire, of a piston, connections between piston and wheel for supporting the latter from the piston, a cylinder withinv which thev piston operates, a source of fluid underpressure, a valve between said source and "said cylinder, said valve havingtwo ports, one on each side of the piston, guiding means cooperating with the wheel and trolley wire and movable by the latter, when the wheel leaves the wire, and connections between guiding means and the valve for shiftingthe latter as the 'means is moved by the trolley wire, the construction being such that while the wheel is on the wire the valveis vheld with one of its ports open to admit compressed fluidbeneath `the piston to hold the wheel against the wire, and when the wheel is off the wire, the guiding means is moved to shift the valve and open the other port to admit compressed fluid above the piston to depress the wheel into position for receiving the wire from the guiding means.

6. In a device of the character described, the combination of a trolley wheel, vguides for a trolley wire associated with said wheel, means for supporting the wheel between said guides, said means being mounted for turning movement, a spring connected with the trolley supporting means, and members rigidly connected with the guides and positioned for cooperation with said spring for limiting the turning movement ot the wheel support with respect to the guides.

7. In a device of the character described, the combination ot a trolley with movable support, mounted above, and fastened to, a housing inclosing a cooperating coil spring and air chambers, means cooperating therewith, ior replacing the trolley against an electrical conductor; a movable means l'or supporting and holding up all of the i`ore going apparatus, a trolley pole carrying all of the vtore roing g (ext'fepting the above-mentioned electrical conductor) and fastened to said apparatus; and a shat't secured to said supporting means by a piusaid shat't' being surrouiuled, on one end, by a coil spring, the, other end oi said sha'lt being` secured loosely by lugs fastened to the trolley pole; all

Acooperating to replace said trolley against the electrical conductor and to support and hold up, said supporting means, all substantially as shown.

S. ln a device of the character described, the combination o'tf trolley wheel, means cooperating with said wheel l'or replacing said wheel against the trolley wire, a movable support connected therewith, a rod connected with said Support, and a coi] spring thru which said rod passes irom said support to a trolley pole by means ot' lugs i'astened to said pole, and a compressed-air chamber within a housing, all, substantially as shown.

9. In a device oi the character described, the combination, with a trolley wheel, for cooperation with an electrical conductor, of a piston, connections between the piston and wheel tor supporting the latter from the piston, a cylinder within which the piston operates, a source oi fluid under pressure, a valve controlling the supply of pressure tiuid to the cylinder, and means operated by the said electrical conductor when it leaves the wheel lor shifting the said valve to cause the wheel to be moved into position l'or again receiving said conductor.

l0. In a device of the character described` the combination with a trolley pole, of a housing carried by said pole, a cylinder and piston within said housing, a trolley wheel supported by said piston to contact with an electrical conductor, guiding means on opposite sides of the wheel and movable with respect thereto, a spring for normally holding the guiding means in elevated position, a source ot fluid under pressure, and a valve connected with the guiding means and movable therewith, the structure being such that when the wheel leaves the said electrical conductor, the latter depressies the guiding means to admit compressed tluid into the cylinder for moving the trolley wheel into position for again receiving said electrical conductor from the guiding means.

l1. In a device l'or automatically replacing a trolley wheel on an electrical conduc tor, a trolley wheel, supporting means whereby the wheel is normally retained in position for engagement with said electrical conductor, guiding means cooperating with the wheel and said conductor, said guiding means heilig cngageable with, and movable by, said conductor when the wheel leaves the latter, and mechanism associated with the supporting means and the guiding means and adapted to be operated by the latter when the wheel leaves said conductor for causing the wheel to be shifted to again receive said conductor from the guiding means.

l2. ln a device of the character described, the combination with a trolley wheel, for cmpcration with an electrical conductor, of a piston, connections between the piston and wheel l'or supporting the same from the piston, a cylinder within which the piston operates. a reservoir, source of tluid under pressure, a valve controlling the supply of pressure tluid to said cylinder and reservoir, a means operated by said electrical conductor when it leaves the wheel for shifting said valve to cause said wheel to be moved into position for again receiving said conductor, a. housing cooperating with said piston, wings (heilig side projections) ex tending outward on both sides of said wheel, and movable means cooperating with said wings and piston Yfor guiding the wheel and said electrical conductor toward cach other, and connections between all of said parts, constructed in such manner that when the wheel leaves said conductor, the guiding means is moved to shift said wheel and wings into position for replacingr said wheel into normal contact with said conductor.

Signed at Los Angeles, in the county ol` Los Angeles, State ot California, on January ec, 192e.

CLARENCE W. BROWN. 

